Well before the two Councils decided to amalgamate, Armidale and Dumaresq had been cooperating in a number of areas including the highly prized natural environment of the region.
The Armidale Dumaresq Joint Planning Strategy and the Armidale Dumaresq Joint Environmental Plan are just two examples. A number of initiatives undertaken by both Councils and their communities clearly indicate the importance they place on protecting and conserving the natural environment.
In Armidale, volunteers have planted over 30,000 native trees along the city’s bypass road. Local school groups grew the trees. In Dumaresq, roadsides have been surveyed and protected to preserve remnant indigenous vegetation. Extensive infill planting has also been carried out to maintain biodiversity.
This has been completed with the assistance of Citizens for Wildlife Corridors who are concerned to maintain and create habitat for wildlife including locally endangered species, such as sugar gliders and koalas. Amalgamation will enable ongoing work on the project including improvements to the Waterfall Way tourist route through to Coffs Harbour.
The concerted efforts of both Councils and their communities have paid off with the recent achievement of winning the NSW Golden Landcare Award for Local Government. This month Council will compete in the National Landcare Final against other State and Territory Local Government winners.
